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Ron Higgins' 'On the Drive Home': LSU post-game notes

J.C. Copeland, Zach Jackson

LSU fullback J.C. Copeland (44) is tackled by Mississippi State linebacker Zach Jackson (14) after a pass reception in the first half of their NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

1. All Mett, all the time: How does this guy get better every game? He was a sizzling 25-of-29 for 340 yards, with two TDs and one interception vs. the Bulldogs. Right now, he's the best quarterback in the SEC. Nobody, not even Georgia's Aaron Murray, is carrying his team like Mettenberger is doing. No disrespect to Bert Jones, Tommy Hodson and Rohan Davey, but I've never had more fun watching an LSU quarterback rip up defenses with his throwing arm.

2. Defense A.W.O.L. again for too long: Understandably there was going to be growing pains with an LSU defense that lost seven players to the NFL draft. But growing pains means you're growing and getting better. With this LSU defense, it's more like labor pains. Defensive coordinator John Chavis is screaming, "Push, push, breathe, breathe," but there's no way he can say "You're doing fine, you're almost there." This defense isn't good at the basics, like tackling, which as I understand, is an essential talent needed to stop an offense.

3. Loved the Hill-Hilliard tandem: Honestly, the SEC between the tackles is all about punishment, which team can deliver the most inside. With running backs Jeremy Hill and Kenny Hilliard, the two 230-pound buffaloes combined for 196 yards and five TDs against State. They were rumbling, tough yards that delivered pain, physical and mental.

4. Get ready for ball-control: Florida visits Tiger Stadium next Saturday with a methodical ball-control offense. It's one reason the Gators are at, or near, the top of the SEC in defense. They keep the ball away from the other team. LSU has to play considerably better to get revenge for last year's loss to Florida.